Measuring Specific Purpose Orientations in Working Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a scale designed to measure specific purpose orientations among adults. Following literature review, a pool of items was developed and pilot tested with a convenience sample of adults recruited through MTurk (N = 554). Exploratory factor analysis suggested three distinct dimensions of others-growth, self-growth, and career-focused purpose orientations. The three-factor structure was confirmed with two independent samples of intercollegiate coaches in Study 2 (N = 377) and with teachers in Study 3 (N = 247) through the use of confirmatory factor analysis. Construct validity of the items was assessed, which included examining factor loadings and reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and nomological validity. Overall, the 12 items measuring purpose orientations are suggested as valid and reliable for research and for reflection on the nature of their life purpose to ultimately promote wellbeing in adult populations.

The role of coaching identity and life purpose orientations in holistic athlete development

“…The Specific Purpose Orientations of Working Adults Scale 14 is comprised of 12 items designed to measure others-growth purpose orientation (four items, e.g. My purpose in life is to make a positive impact on others ), self-growth purpose orientation (four items, e.g.…”

“…Reliability estimates were reported to be .85-.96 for others-growth purpose orientation, .84-.93 for self-growth purpose orientation, and .86-.92 for career-focused purpose orientation. 14…”

“…Reliability estimates were reported to be .85-.96 for others-growth purpose orientation, .84-.93 for self-growth purpose orientation, and .86-.92 for career-focused purpose orientation. 14 Coaching identity. The Two-Dimensional Identification with Sport Coaching Scale 20 is comprised of 10 items.…”

“…For instance, people with prosocial purpose orientation often list several prosocial life-goals while describing their purpose in life such as helping others, advancing systemic change, and serving the community. 13 Informed by Hill et al's 13 conceptualization of purpose orientations, Yukhymenko-Lescroart and Sharma 14 described purpose orientation as the underlying intention behind peoples' long-term aspirations, which can be career-oriented, others-oriented, and self-oriented. Career-focused purpose orientation was described as the determination to excel in one's chosen profession and actualize career-related potential, others-growth purpose orientation as the resolve to enrich other people's lives, and self-growth purpose orientation as the desire to become a better person.…”

Student Academic Engagement and Burnout Amidst COVID-19: The Role of Purpose Orientations and Disposition Towards Gratitude in Life

“…Purpose orientations can be described as long-term life goals in specific areas of one's life. Research has shown that the nature of purpose orientations, or major life goals, is linked with various academic and well-being outcomes (e.g., Hill et al, 2010 ; Sharma et al, 2017 , 2021 ; Yukhymenko-Lescroart & Sharma, 2021 ). For example, Sharma et al examined the role of career, interpersonal, altruistic, and self-oriented purpose orientations using the 2002 Educational Longitudinal Study database and found that (a) career purpose orientation was a positive predictor of high school graduates’ decision to apply for college ( Sharma et al, 2017 ), and (b) both career and interpersonal purpose orientations were positive predictors of college students’ postsecondary education completion a decade later ( Sharma et al, 2021 ).…”